President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government will not allow the nuances of politics determine the outcome of any judicial process, the Minister for Justice and Attorney General for the Federation, Abubakar Malami has said.
Malami stated this on Monday while addressing members of the House of Representatives committee on Justice during a budget defence session in Abuja.
He told lawmakers that the preceding year has been one of mixed fortunes for the nation’s justice sector given paucity of funds in the face of competing needs occasioned by the covid pandemic and insecurity challenges.
“The year 2021 is rolling to an end and I can state without mincing words that the year is replete with fair and unfair challenges arising from competing needs and demands especially given the unending Covid-19 Pandemic, Kidnapping and Armed Banditry Challenges.
” In the face of scarce but allocated resources and granted the fact that the Justice sector superintends over the rule of law, it is hereby reasoned that, we should reconceptualize the Justice architecture in tandem with the vital role of Justice Delivery and administration in a heterogeneous society such as ours.
“If we are to crystallise our democracy firmly, it is incumbent on us to build a bridge across Justice, covering a broad spectrum of activities because of our plural composition and divergent views on National issues.
“The year 2022 is another defining moment in the annals of our history. In any event, Federal Ministry of Justice shall do its level best at ensuring that the nuances of politics do not compromise our Justice dispensation
“The rule of law as practiced all over the world is the pivot upon which democracy revolves. The Justice sector as presently constituted is bedevilled by funding inadequacies, too much for our comfort.
“The prime drivers of any given maturing democracy such as ours, are the Rule of Law, Due Process of the Law, Human Rights, International Obligations and Allied Matters.
“Evidence reveals that Administration of Justice which guarantees sustainable peace, equity and fair play is undeniably capital intensive. In the circumstance, we need to reconceptualize the existing funding pattern of the Justice sector,” he said.
However, in an apparent move to shield the Minister from answering questions on how he spent the funds released to his ministry in 2021, the committee chairman, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo (APC, Imo), hurriedly hit the gavel immediately after the Minister concluded his presentation.
Hon. Kuye Ademorin (APC, Lagos), and a member of the committee, had raised questions regarding findings by government judicial panels on EndSars, as well as the place of Nigeria in the implementation of the law against torture.
However, the committee chairman quickly interjected, saying that the Minister should proceed to presenting his 2022 budget proposal, since the committee was satisfied with performances of the previous year.
The chairman had earlier in his speech reminded the Minister of the constitutionality of budget defence, saying that it forms part of the oversight responsibility of the legislature as spelt out in the constitution.
“…Be reminded once more that the business of Government cannot be run in a vacuum and budget approval is very critical to good governance therefore, this exercise should be given the necessary importance that it deserve as we solicit your maximum cooperation and total disclosure of all material facts.
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“Section 80 of the CFRN as amended charge the National Assembly to scrutinize the Appropriation Bill and pass same as deemed appropriate. Equally of note is the powers of the National Assembly as provided in section 88of the CFRN as amended and the imperativeness of appraising the performance of the 2021 allocation as contained in the 2021 Appropriation Act.
“The combine effect of sections 80 and 88 of the -CFRN as amended has guaranteed the National Assembly and by extension this committee to appraise the previous allocation of this ministry and use same as precursor for the consideration of the 2022 Appropriation Bill.
In view of the forgoing, the committee is expecting your presentation in this budget defense exercise to give a detailed report of the 2021 budget performance and thereafter lay a proper foundation for the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation estimates”, he said.
